Joint Civil Society Organizations (CSOs) and Multi-stakeholders Statement:
Transforming the Fisheries Industry and Cross-Sectors through a Human Rights-Based Approach (HRBA) in the Asia Pacific Region
Highlighting and Following Up the 7th UN Responsible Business and Human Rights – Asia Pacific Forum 2025
Bangkok, 25 September 2025
Multistakeholder Leadership in Mainstreaming Human Rights-Based Approach (HRBA) in the Asia Pacific Region
In 2013, Bangkok became the place where the Asian and Pacific Ministerial Declaration on Population and Development was adopted. The Declaration mandated a rights-based, gender-sensitive, and non-discriminatory approach to population and development strategies pursued by signatory countries. Previously in 2011, the United Nations Human Rights Council unanimously endorsed the UN Guiding Principles on Business and Human Rights (UNGPs). UNGP prescribed key steps for stakeholders to implement human rights principles for business operations. This includes not only conducting human rights due diligence in labor relations, but also in terms of the effects of the business operations on the adjacent communities. Both the Declaration and the Guiding Principles mandated cross-sector collaboration to enforce a human-rights-based approach (HRBA) in transforming business operations and development strategies.
Today, Bangkok once again becomes the place where stakeholders discussed and reaffirmed their commitment to human rights. The 2025 UN Responsible Business and Human Rights Forum (7th UNRBHRF) convenes at a pivotal moment for Asia and the Pacific. The region faces an unprecedented convergence of challenges and crises, underscoring the importance of businesses upholding their responsibility to respect human rights. The 2025 UNRBHR Forum adopts the theme, “Anchoring Progress and Strengthening Regional Leadership on Human Rights through Crisis.” The theme emphasizes the need for principled and coordinated actions to sustain and boost progress in the region, especially during uncertain times. The UNRBHR Forum positioned stakeholders in the Asia-Pacific region as drivers of solutions that inspire global action.
